HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES EMPLOYEES HONORED AT BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD STEM CONFERENCE

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Feb. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that 12 employees from its Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions were recognized for achievements in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields during the 31st annual Black Engineer of the Year Award STEM Global Competitiveness Conference. The conference took place last week in Washington, D.C.

Chavis Harris, Newport News’ director of ethics, EEO and diversity, received the Dave Barclay Affirmative Action Award, which recognizes efforts to promote affirmative action and advancement within his or her organization in education, job promotion, small-business development and community activities.

Harris has administered classroom instruction on diversity and inclusion to more than 2,200 of Newport News’ first-line supervisors. He also has served as a panel member and facilitator during professional development seminars hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers at Old Dominion and Hampton universities.

Harris serves as chair of the state board of directors for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and as vice chair for the mid-Atlantic region board for INROADS Inc. He also serves on the board of directors for the Comprehensive Health Investment Project (CHIP) of Virginia and for Star Achievers Academy, a magnet school in Hampton.

Eleven other HII employees received Modern Day Technology Leader awards, which recognize their efforts in shaping the future of engineering, science and technology. They are:

• Tamie Agnew, nuclear engineer, Newport News Shipbuilding


• Johnny Brown, field engineer, Ingalls Shipbuilding


• David Colley, designer, Ingalls Shipbuilding


• Rodell Evans, program manager, Newport News Shipbuilding


• Bob Gibson, production planning and scheduling manager, Ingalls Shipbuilding


• April Hauser, structural engineer, Newport News Shipbuilding


• Patrick Hines, software engineer, Newport News Shipbuilding


• Elzater Moffett, engineer, Ingalls Shipbuilding


• Isaac Peterson, mechanical engineer, Ingalls Shipbuilding


• Stanley Reese, nuclear engineer, Newport News Shipbuilding


• Alton Williams, production planning & scheduling manager, Ingalls Shipbuilding

Chavis Harris, Newport News Shipbuilding's director of ethics, EEO and diversity. HII photo